Page 125 - Demo

Chapter Four 125
which his scribe and confessor Maolsuthain O’Carroll recorded in the Book of Armagh:
“I have written this in the presence of Brian, Imperatoris Scotorum-Brian, Brian Emperor
of the Irish”
It is sometimes said that this was possibly the greatest moment in the history of native Ireland, because Brian, by using this title of Emperor was claiming the monarchy of the entire Gaelic race, and to sanctify his rule, he accepted the supremacy of Armagh over the whole church in Ireland. Even though he was a ruthless military tactician, a shrewd politician and diplomat, and a cunning leader, Brian was also a devoted Christian, with a traditional belief that the salvation of society depended on religious and political bonding. Whether his beliefs were correct or not is something which will always be open to debate, but what is certain is that nearly all of those who have studied his life are of the opinion that his government of Ireland was for the time excellent. The Annals of the Four Masters said of him:
“He sent professors and masters to teach wisdom and knowledge, and to buy books, beyond the sea and the great ocean, because the writings and books in every church and
18th-century engraving of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland